Before I start this chapter I feel I must apologize before hand. Please forgive my sorting song, it's not very good!
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Chapter 7 New Term
Harry spent a week reviewing his spells and enchantments with Paddy and Moony. Tikka had washed his clothes and he was beginning to pack his trunk. School would begin in a few more days. Most of the students had arrived safely at Hogwarts and there had been no more attack in the mean time. Paddy had left to return to Ireland the night before and Harry was once again left with Moony and Tikka.
"Harry, Tikka's been complaining about the condition of your clothes, do you want her to go and get you some new ones before you leave. She also suggested that you could use some new shoes," Moony asked him.
"Where would she go shopping, in Hogsmead?" Harry asked.
"I never asked, but I imagine so," Moony replied.
"I guess I should get some new things," Harry shrugged. He was so used to wearing cast off clothes that were too big for him, he rarely thought about it. Every summer Aunt Petunia would throw away anything she thought was too worn and he would find more of Dudley's old clothes in his laundry pile.
"Well she can measure you after breakfast and then if you give her your Gringotts key, she can get what you need."
"Will she be able to get me some new trainers?" Harry asked doubtfully.
"Probably," Moony replied. "Anyway Migizi, ready for seventh year?"
Harry shrugged, "it doesn't even seem like a big deal this year, after all that's happened."
"Still, you've got your N.E.W.T's this year. Your still taking five aren't you?"
"Yes, if Snape doesn't ban me from Potions for breaking his arm."
"He wouldn't dare," Moony laughed. "You could always break the other arm if he tries."
"Dumbledore would love that," Harry grinned.
Tikka measured Harry and took his key, after asking if there were any colours he particularly disliked, she disappeared with a crack.
"How can she do that?" Harry asked, "Dobby was the same at Hogwarts, if we can't dissaparate out of here, how come the house-elves can?"
"They use a different kind of magic from us, I'm not sure how they can do it, but the normal wards don't seem to apply to them," Moony answered. "That's how Dumbledore brought the student to Hogwarts this year; the house-elves collected them."
"Can they usually do that, I mean if they can, surely wizards would use them to transport their families."
"Well I think that Dumbledore has partially freed the Hogwarts elves from their enslavement. He's taking the risk that they will stay loyal to him, and not abandon the school," Moony said, "but you know Dumbledore, he rarely shares his plans with anyone completely."
"I thought it was just me," Harry replied.
"No, he always keeps his ideas secret. Look how many protections he put on you as a child, most of us have only heard of them now." Moony told him.
They sat for a while chatting about school and N.E.W.T's, Harry could almost imagine this was what it would be like for a normal boy, talking about school and exams. Moony kept the conversation light and fun. Until a crack sounded in the centre of the table and a letter appeared. Curiously, Harry opened it.
Dear Mr Potter,
Congratulations, you have been chosen as Head Boy.
I will outline your duties when you report to school
tomorrow. I expect you to set a good example for your fellow
students, and to work hard to fulfil your potential.
Yours faithfully,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Head Mistress
Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry read the letter in disbelief, then lifting the envelope; he pulled out a shiny badge from inside and held it up for Moony to see.
"Nice one Migizi, just like your dear old Dad!" Moony exclaimed.
"Don't you have to get top marks to be head boy?" Harry asked.
"No, it's to do with service to the school. The prefects are usually the top scorers."
"I never thought Dumbledore would give me this," Harry said, "You don't reckon he did it because he felt sorry for me?"
"No, I think he gave you it because of the number of times you have saved the school," Moony replied. "Besides look on the bright side, you get to wander the school at any time without getting into trouble, and you get a private room in Gryffindor tower. Prongs used to love boasting about it." Moony smiled as he remembered.
"Well a private room sounds good," Harry replied. "I bet Hermione's the Head Girl."
"That's a given really," Moony said. "So I guess you've earned a present. What would you like?"
"Don't be daft, you just gave me a birthday present," Harry answered.
"Yes, but head boy! I can't remember what your Mum and Dad got."
Harry knew that Moony didn't have much money and he certainly didn't need any more. But he was pleased that Moony thought about giving him something, just like the Weasley's had done for Percy…..Harry's thoughts trailed away as he remembered Percy, they shouldn't be sitting here laughing when Percy had just died.
"What's wrong?" Moony asked noticing Harry's expression.
"I was just remembering Percy, he was head boy," Harry replied, "Come to think of it, the Head Boys haven't had much luck, look at my Dad."
"Well not all of them have been so unlucky, Bill was head boy," Moony pointed out.
The conversation was interrupted by Tikka's return, she handed Harry several large brightly coloured bags and a pouch with his money in it. Harry excused himself to put them away in his trunk. He was surprised at how many pairs of underwear and socks Tikka seemed to think he would need. She had also bought him several pairs of jeans, t-shirts and sweaters. Amazingly, she had managed to buy trainers; Harry couldn't help wondering if she had gone to a muggle shop to buy them, imagining the look on the assistants face when Tikka had paid.
He carefully placed his badge on top of his new robes and stood looking at it for several minutes, before going to find Moony.
Harry arrived at school on 31st August in time to join the other students for lunch; Ron and Hermione were already seated with several of their friends at the Gryffindor table. Harry casually plopped himself down beside them saying, "Hey guys, what's for lunch, I'm starving!"
"Harry, when did you get here," Hermione smiled at him.
Ron was still looking very pale and drawn, but managed to smile and say, "Hey mate, how are you?"
Harry filled his plate as he replied, "I'm alright, got here a few minutes ago."
"Harry, you're Head boy," Hermione said, noticing the badge on his robes.
"Yes," Harry smiled.
"Well done mate, knew it would be you," Ron smiled at him.
"Hey Harry, does that mean you'll give us detention if we eat all the cakes at lunch before you've had time to choose your favourite?" Dean Thomas called from further along the table.
Harry laughed and said "Hey Dean, Seamus, did you enjoy your holidays?"
"S'alright," They replied in unison.
Spotting Neville further down the table he called, "Hey Neville, you alright?"
Neville turned and Harry held in a gasp of surprise. His usually cheerful face was drawn and he had dark circles under his eyes. "Fine," Neville replied before turning back to staring at his plate.
"What's going on with Neville?" Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione.
"He's been like that all week, he hardly eats, he never speaks to anyone and spends all his time outside on his own," Hermione replied, with a worried look on her face.
"He probably just misses his Grandmother, let him be," Ron replied.
"He's lost a lot of weight though hasn't he?" Harry added.
"He'll be okay when classes start," Ron said.
Harry continued to glance at Neville throughout lunch, noticing that Hermione was right, Neville didn't eat at all. And as soon as the table was cleared he stood and strode purposefully out of the Great Hall, not stopping to speak to anyone.
Harry followed his friends to the Common room and said, "So Hermione, have you got a new room as well?"
"Yes, it's above my old room, up that flight of stairs," Hermione said pointing to a flight of stairs near her old dorm. "Have you been in yours yet?"
"No, I just dumped my trunk in here and came down to lunch," Harry answered. "It should be that one up from our old dorm shouldn't it?"
"Yes, Percy's old room," Ron said quietly. The trio stood for a moment in silence then Ron added, "Come on, I'll help you put your stuff upstairs."
Thankful that the awkward moment had passed, Harry grabbed one side of his trunk as Ron took the other end. Hermione followed carrying Hedwig's empty cage.
Harry opened the door to his new room, and realised that he would probably miss Ron's talking in his sleep and Neville's quiet snoring. Still the room was nice, it had a four poster bed, a set of shelves, a desk and chair and a wardrobe, much like his room in Redwood.
"It's quite nice in here," He said, still worrying about Ron's reaction to him sleeping in Percy's old room.
"Yes, at least you'll have some privacy to meditate and stuff," Ron said quietly.
Hermione sensing her boyfriend's sadness suggested they all go and visit Hagrid, which the boys eagerly agreed to. So they left Harry's trunk in the room and wandered down to visit their friend. The first thing to greet Harry when they arrived was Hedwig; she had stayed at Hogwarts during the summer.
Hagrid made them tea and cakes and they sat chatting until it was time to go for dinner. Harry noticed that there was an extra table set up beside the teachers table, and twenty or so very small students sat talking amongst themselves.
"Is that the new first years?" Harry asked.
"Didn't you notice them earlier?" Hermione asked, "They arrived this morning and won't be sorted until tomorrow, so Dumbledore sat them together."
"Wonder why he didn't have the sorting ceremony when they arrived?" Harry said.
"Dunno, but he's making them sleep in one of the empty classrooms on the third floor," Ron added, "Cause they can't sleep in the dorms until they know which house they'll be in."
They all sat down and had dinner, Dumbledore and most of the teachers were absent, only McGonagall sat at the top table watching over them. After dinner they had to go to a meeting with her, to discuss prefect duties and the Head Boy and Girl were given the prefects' rota, it was their job to make sure the prefects all pulled their weight.
The next day Dumbledore told them at breakfast that they would be allowed one last visit to Hogsmead to stock up on school supplies if they wanted, but they must all return to the castle no later than 4pm, before the beginning of term feast.
Ron and Hermione went to supervise the younger students, they had to be escorted by the prefects and Harry stopped to ask Dumbledore if he was permitted to go. The old wizard shook his head and patted Harry's shoulder, "Not this time please Harry." So Harry watched as the whole school trooped out of the gates and off for a day of fun at Hogsmead while he was stuck alone in the castle.
Harry drifted back to the common room and was just going to unpack his trunk when he glimpsed a solitary figure standing gazing out of the window. At first he didn't realise it was Neville, the other boy looked so gaunt. Harry approached him cautiously and said, "Hey Neville, didn't you want to go to Hogsmead with the others?"
"No," was the short reply.
"Neville, are you alright?" Harry pressed.
"I wish to God people would stop asking me that!" Neville exploded, "of course I'm not okay. My family has been destroyed by evil maniacs. I could have killed some of them at the ministry two years ago, but I was too bloody useless to do anything but get my stupid nose broken, so no, I'm not alright."
Harry was so stunned by Neville's out-burst that he could only stare as the other boy stormed out of the room. Harry retreated to his room, berating himself for upsetting Neville. He knew how irritating it could be when people constantly asked if you were alright, when they knew why you weren't.
Still worrying about his friend, he unpacked his trunk, arranging his ever growing collection of books on the wooden shelves, and his clothes in the wardrobe. He stood looking in his wardrobe and shook his head slightly. His wardrobe was filled with clean, new clothes, for the first time that Harry could remember.
Eventually when he couldn't find anything else to do, he made his way down to the Great Hall for lunch. It was depressingly empty, most of the students and teachers seemed to be taking advantage of their last day's freedom. Harry cautiously approached Neville and sat down across the table from him.
"I'm Sorry Neville, for asking stupid questions. I know how irritating that is," Harry said quietly, "but just so you remember, you saved my life at the Ministry of Magic that night."
Neville raised his eyes and looked at Harry, after a few seconds he said, "Sorry for losing it with you, you weren't to know that I've been asked that question a hundred times in the last week." He turned his attention back to his plate and began picking at the food in front of him in silence.
Harry ate quietly and fled to his new room to meditate. Banging on his door later told him that the others had returned. "Come on Harry, we have to go for dinner," Ron yelled through the locked door.
"Coming," Harry replied, storing his things in the bottom of his wardrobe before opening the door.
They made their way down to the Great Hall, which had returned to its normal beginning of term décor. The extra table had been removed and the house banners were hanging above each table. The first years were waiting in the entrance hall with Professor McGonagall.
The Sorting Hat sat on its stool, waiting to welcome them back. The Professor brought in the first years and they huddled together waiting for the ceremony to begin. The rip on the brim of the ancient hat opened and its voice sang out clearly,
"For a thousand years or more,
I've served my duty well,
To sort the fresh new faces,
To the house where they should dwell.
But now I sit before you,
And warn you once again,
That this could be the last time,
I divide you all again.
Together you are strong,
Divided you will fall,
So take my story to your heart,
And listen to my call.
The brave, the wise, the strong, the sly,
Must come together, stand tall,
Listen to your sorting hat
and then you cannot fall!
Now place me on the heads,
Of those bright, hopeful few,
The muggles and the wizard born,
I'll tell you what to do."
Whispering followed the song, "It's at it again," Ron commented, "I swear its songs are getting stranger."
"Wonder why it said it could be the last time it sorted the students," Hermione answered.
Harry felt an awful ache in the pit of his stomach, looking towards the headmaster, he remembered his dream. Voldemort being destroyed by the lava and then Harry and Hogwarts being engulfed too. Dumbledore was watching the sorting with interest, apparently undisturbed by the Sorting Hat's song. Harry was afraid the Sorting Hat may be warning them that Hogwarts would be destroyed.
After dinner, the student found their way back to the common room, where they bid each other a sleepy good night and went to their various beds.
Monday morning, Harry received his timetable and saw that it was almost the same as the previous year. He still had no classes with Slytherin, and he had several free periods during the week. Ron and Hermione had Herbology first and then Transfigurations with Harry. In the afternoon Harry and Hermione had Potions, while Ron studied muggle studies again, then they all had charms.
"So are you doing N.E.W.T Muggle studies?" Harry asked Ron.
"Yes, if I do some catch up classes with the 6th years for the first term, the Professor thinks that I'll be ready for the exam at the end of the year." Ron answered.
They left for their classes and Harry sought out Professor McGonagall to ask if he had any extra lessons this year.
"Actually Mr Potter, the headmaster is waiting to speak to you about that. The password is 'calypso dreams'." McGonagall told him.
Harry made his way to the headmaster's office and waited outside the door.
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore's muffled voice called.
"You wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes Harry, about your extra lessons," Dumbledore began, "I would like to try something different this year."
Harry waited to hear his idea.
"I am going to help you with your elemental magic, I think that practicing outdoors will make it easier for you," Dumbledore told him, "Being closer to the elements should make connecting with them simpler."
"I actually thought about that at Redwood, but since there was no way to go out, I didn't say anything." Harry replied.
"Excellent. Well I think if we arrange to meet at the quidditch pitch during your free periods on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we can take it from there." Dumbledore rose, "However lets leave it for today, I will see you on Wednesday."
"Yes sir," Harry replied. When he was halfway along the corridor he remembered that he had wanted to ask Dumbledore what he thought of the Sorting Hat's song. He decided to wait until the next time he spoke to him; Harry went back to his dorm to collect his books for Transfigurations.
Harry stood outside Professor McGonagall's classroom waiting for her first year class to leave. He registered vaguely that they were mixed Gryffindors and Slytherins and they all seemed to be chatting together happily as they filled past him. Harry took his seat and waited for the others to arrive.
"Now settle down. This is your final year, and as such lessons will take on a different style. I have taught you all the basics, now you must learn to develop them independently," McGonagall told them. "It would be impossible for me to teach you how to transfigure every single object and animal that you will come across." She paused to look at them, "You have now reached the stage were you should be ready to work out which incantations and spells you need alone. I will supervise you."
This brought renewed muttering from the class. Most were debating whither they were ready for this new step. Harry understood the logic behind the Professors suggestions, but was also a little nervous of the idea of so much independent work.
"Now your first projects will be to transfigure an inanimate object to act with prearranged orders," McGonagall told them, many of the students looked a little confused at this, "for example, the suits of armour in Hogwarts are charmed at Christmas time to sing carols."
The students seemed to understand this and all started to nod. McGonagall turned and waved her wand at the board. The basic rules appeared and they copied them down. "You will have one week to work on your projects, and I would suggest that you start with something small, we will be repeating this project later, so you will have the opportunity to work on a larger scale."
The students began whispering suggestions at each other. Harry was trying to think of a good idea for his own project, when Ron leaned over and said, "I think I should configure my quill to take all the notes on its own and do my homework for me."
Harry decided to transfigure one of the pine cones in a basket on McGonagall's desk into a small bird that would fly around the room. Taking his books he started to look up the spells and enchantments that he would need.
Satisfied that he had all the relevant information he packed his bag as the bell rang and went with the others for lunch.